Gratuities in Michael's Lounge for Elite Breakfast and Cocktail Hour

[Waterlily777]

I was wondering what Elite passengers are doing with respect to tipping the servers in Michael's Lounge (or alternate location) for the complimentary breakfast and cocktail hour that has been provided as a loyalty perk.

On the last full day, I put a sum of money in an envelope with a thank you note "to all the kind staff who took such great care of us" and left it (discreetly, I hope) with one of the staff members at each of the two venues, but I didn't notice anyone else doing the same, so I was wondering if there was another protocol that was being followed, or if everyone was focussing on discretion, as this is a new experience without clear guidelines or established norms as yet.

[jackdiamond]

I would, also, be interested in some views on this subject. On the Radiance, I would tip the concierge a couple of times during the cruise. However, that was simpler since the breakfast was simply continental; and, he was not usually there at breakfast.

[Waterlily777]

Originally Posted by jackdiamond

I would, also, be interested in some views on this subject. On the Radiance, I would tip the concierge a couple of times during the cruise. However, that was simpler since the breakfast was simply continental; and, he was not usually there at breakfast.

I agree. On the Radiance Class ships, we too tipped the concierge at the end of the cruise, as he was usually the only person we saw, so it was very clear who had earned our gratitude. (This is a while ago, when the Concierge lounge had fewer Diamond patrons). There was hardly ever any staff in the Concierge Lounge outside of the 5:30-8:30 pm cocktail period.

Celebrity had at least four staff on hand for breakfast in Michael's, and not the same staff every day. And there was a full fleet of staff each afternoon in the observation lounge. There were hundreds of Elite cruisers on my last cruise.

[Snow Road Cruisers]

[quote=Waterlily777;22013759]I was wondering what Elite passengers are doing with respect to tipping the servers in Michael's Lounge (or alternate location) for the complimentary breakfast and cocktail hour that has been provided as a loyalty perk.

At the end of a recent 16 day cruise we handed each of the staff that we saw daily and provided services (different group AM & PM) some money; discreetly and thank them. We noticed many others doing the same. I believe it was something small like $30.00 each, most acted embarrassed but grateful.

[spearmint]

On Millennium, at the Elite lounge, there were a few servers who eventually go to recognize us, and brought us drinks without our even asking! We also met them in the other lounges on board, and were well taken care of (but those venues had their tipping built into the bill). On the last night, I sought them out and gave each a small tip like the previous poster did, just as thanks for the service in the Elite lounge.

[andawayigo]

We always tip on the last day.

[jagoffee]

We tipped the main server on the last day.

[Ms. J.]

Before leaving home, I got a bunch of $1 bills. At Happy hour in the Elite lounge on Mercury, I tipped $1. for every drink. It worked out really good, and the service was superb! Jini

[jackdiamond]

Jini,
I like your approach since it rewards the one who is actually serving you; and, it eliminates the need to hunt down the numerous servers on the last day. I will probably tip $1.00, for the first drink, and if it is o.k., $2.00, for the next one. Since, this is what I usually do in the cash bars there will be no transition problem.

[Can'tstopcruising]

Originally Posted by jackdiamond

Jini,
I like your approach since it rewards the one who is actually serving you; and, it eliminates the need to hunt down the numerous servers on the last day. I will probably tip $1.00, for the first drink, and if it is o.k., $2.00, for the next one. Since, this is what I usually do in the cash bars there will be no transition problem.

What exactly is a "cash bar"?

[Lois R]

Originally Posted by Can'tstopcruising

What exactly is a "cash bar"?

Just another term for the regular bars, where you pay for your drinks.

[mardon]

Spearmint - I was just wondering what you consider a small tip.

We just came back from our 16 day Panama Canal cruise and we were in the Michaels Club every day for free drinks. I must have had 4 each night and my husband the same. That will equal out to maybe $50 per day and maybe more. We gave $20ea to the two bar servers and then $20 ea again at the end of the cruise. We certainly saved alot of money by drinking in the Michaels lounge so we felt that $80 total for the whole cruise was well worth it. People should consider what their tip would have been had they drank in the other bars and tip accordingly to these fine crew members in the Michaels Lounge. Some people who cruised with me didn't give a dime stating that with all the money they had spent going on the cruises, that Celebrity owed them this perk. UGH!

[jackdiamond]

Originally Posted by Lois R

Just another term for the regular bars, where you pay for your drinks.

You are correct. In addition to the 15% added to the invoice, I usually give an additional $1.00, in cash.

[birders]

Originally Posted by Ms. J.

Before leaving home, I got a bunch of $1 bills. At Happy hour in the Elite lounge on Mercury, I tipped $1. for every drink. It worked out really good, and the service was superb! Jini

Ms. J. I like your idea. The Elite lounge on our most recent cruise (Constellation TransAt) was in that (awful) Bar at the Edge of the Earth* because there were so many Elites. We sought out a couple of the most helpful servers there on the last night and gave them some cash, for which they seemed surprised.

* the ragged old Cirque decor is awful, NOT the location and view!

[spearmint]

Originally Posted by mardon

Spearmint - I was just wondering what you consider a small tip.

We just came back from our 16 day Panama Canal cruise and we were in the Michaels Club every day for free drinks. I must have had 4 each night and my husband the same. That will equal out to maybe $50 per day and maybe more. We gave $20ea to the two bar servers and then $20 ea again at the end of the cruise. We certainly saved alot of money by drinking in the Michaels lounge so we felt that $80 total for the whole cruise was well worth it. People should consider what their tip would have been had they drank in the other bars and tip accordingly to these fine crew members in the Michaels Lounge. Some people who cruised with me didn't give a dime stating that with all the money they had spent going on the cruises, that Celebrity owed them this perk. UGH!

As I said, I tipped as the previous poster said; about $30 each for the servers who looked after us regularly in the Elite lounge up in the disco; there was no bar, hence no server there. I saved no money by drinking there, as normally, I would not be drinking at that time. Therefore, my account was no less than it always is........scary!!

[Chichi]

We returned last week from a 10-night cruise. In the overflow concierge at the H/O; our bartenders, Lorenzo and Reynaldo were super great.

They worked well together and provided a seamless service to everyone. By the time we sat at the bar, our drinks were in front of us. We didn’t have to ask for a drink, as soon as you finished one or were about to finish one the other was in front of you.

On the last night of the 10-night marvelous service experience, I tip both a $50.00 each and placed a note in the envelope thanking them.

As for Michael’s Club, lounge; what are the times the lounge will be open for Elite members? On RCCL is 5:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

Thanks

Bob

[birders]

Originally Posted by Chichi

As for Michael’s Club, lounge; what are the times the lounge will be open for Elite members? On RCCL is 5:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

Thanks

Bob

It's not as on RCCL. Only 4-6PM. In recent months we've experienced both X's and RRCL's version. Celebrity's is great if you're in early dining; however, as it IS an improvement in the benefits, I'm not going to grouse.

(PS. The afternoon cocktail time wasn't in Michael's Club because of the hordes of Elites on the TransAt.)

[willie2845]

Just off the Mercury. We would tip our server at each night at 6 PM.

[mardon]

Hi Birders. We were 2nd seating and we found the 4-6 time perfect BECAUSE there were many nights that the late seating show in the Celebrity Nightclub was at 7 p.m. so we would go to the Michaels Club around 5:15 and drink until 6 (plenty of time to get 2-3 drinks), sit and converse until 6:30 and then walk to the theatre for the 7 p.m. show.
The Michaels Club reminded me of the neighborhood bar where you went every night and met your friends for a drink. Every night we sat with different people so by the time the cruise was over we had many new friends. Loved that new benefit. Also kept our bar tab down. We still stopped and had a drink in the martini lounge before dinner.

marlene

[birders]

Originally Posted by mardon

Hi Birders. We were 2nd seating and we found the 4-6 time perfect BECAUSE there were many nights that the late seating show in the Celebrity Nightclub was at 7 p.m. so we would go to the Michaels Club around 5:15 and drink until 6 (plenty of time to get 2-3 drinks), sit and converse until 6:30 and then walk to the theatre for the 7 p.m. show.
The Michaels Club reminded me of the neighborhood bar where you went every night and met your friends for a drink. Every night we sat with different people so by the time the cruise was over we had many new friends. Loved that new benefit. Also kept our bar tab down. We still stopped and had a drink in the martini lounge before dinner.

marlene

Hi Marlene: You're right - We actually did that kind of thing, as well, on a couple of nights. Most of the time we find we don't bother with the shows, would rather stay on the verandah later in afternoon before getting spiffed up for cocktails and dinner, or - my favorite - being in the empty T-Pool in that 5-6 PM hour. Ah, heaven!

(we'll see how it works in January - have chosen "select" dining and made reservations in advance for 7 every night. Neither too early or too late...)

Happy Sailing!